the Greens call for…Quality mental health care for all Australians

We know that 45% of Australians will experience mental ill-health at some stage in their lives. That’s why we need a strong mental health system to respond to the needs of Australians who are negotiating the challenges of mental illness.

The Greens care about people. That’s why we will invest $547.4 million in a robust, people-focused mental health plan which improves access to quality mental health services and focuses on helping people to live full, healthy lives.

The key features of this policy are:

An investment of $150 million over three years to establish a National Institute for Mental Illness Research;

Increasing funding for the Mental Health Nurse Incentive Program by $70 million per year;

Reinstating the option of six extra sessions of psychological treatment in exceptional circumstances under the Better Access initiative, investing $141.6 million over 3 years;

Re-establishing the NGO Capacity Grants Program and providing grants of up to $50,000 to mental health NGOs, costing $7.5 million; and

Establishing a National Suicide Prevention Campaign and improving the collection of data relating to suicide with an investment of $38.3 million over 3 years.

We know that mental health policy cuts through politics to the very heart of our nation’s wellbeing.

Australians need a strong and compassionate mental health system – it makes good economic sense and protects some of our most vulnerable Australians.

We’re committed to supporting people with mental illness to live full and healthy lives.

The Greens are standing up for better access to quality mental health care for all Australians.